What are Integrated Battle Groups?

2 weeks ago

0 67 1 minute read

As per the Army Chief General, Integrated Battle Groups or IBG will be operational soon as a part of overall force transformation. Due to the unprecedented pandemic, there’s a slight delay but after the Army Chief’s confirmation, more than a dozen Integrate Battle Groups will soon be operational.

What are IBGs?

Integrated Battle Groups or IBGs are agile, brigade-sized, self-sufficient combat formations. In case of hostilities, IBGs can swiftly launch strikes against the enemies in case of hostilities. Every IBG will be tailor-made and will be based on the three Ts– Threat, Terrain and Task.

Every IBG will be headed by a Major General and will consist of 5,000 troops. An IBG’s operation in the deserts will be different from the operation in the mountains. Also, they must be able to mobilise within 12-48 hours based on the location.

How are IBGs different from the existing formations?

IBGs are integrated and self-sufficient groups and can strike harder and quicker in comparison to the existing formations.

History of Indian Military

The military operations of independent India were infantry based. This means that the Indian Army allowed the enemy to attack first and will launch a counter-attack later after absorbing the attack from the enemy. However, this doctrine of the Indian Army was not successful and was time taking.

After the 1971 war, the doctrine of the Indian Army was changed. In the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Indian Army launched aggressive operations against Pakistan using PT-76 tanks. As a result, Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan in just 14 days.